So let me set out the plan I intend to pursue.
文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
First, I will continue to stand up for Scotland’s interests during the process of Brexit negotiations.文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
Second, I will now take the steps necessary to make sure that Scotland will have a choice at the end of this process.文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
A choice of whether to follow the UK to a hard Brexit – or to become an independent country, able to secure a real partnership of equals with the rest of the UK and our own relationship with Europe.文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
The Scottish Government’s mandate for offering this choice is beyond doubt.文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
Last year, we were elected, with the highest share of the constituency vote won by any party in the history of devolution, on a manifesto that said this:文章源自英文巴士-https://www.en84.com/2193.html
“The Scottish Parliament should have the right to hold another referendum…if there is a significant and material change in the circumstances that prevailed in 2014, such as Scotland being taken out of the EU against our will.”
These conditions of course have now been met.
So I can confirm today that next week, I will seek the authority of the Scottish Parliament to agree with the UK government the details of a section 30 order – the procedure that will enable the Scottish Parliament to legislate for an independence referendum.
The UK government was clear in 2014 that an independence referendum should – in their words – “be made in Scotland, by the people of Scotland”.
That is a principle that should be respected today.
The detailed arrangements for a referendum – including its timing – must be for the Scottish Parliament to decide.
However, in my view, it is important that Scotland is able to exercise the right to choose our own future at a time when the options are clearer than they are now – but before it is too late to decide on our own path.
Let me be clear what I mean by that.
The timing of the Brexit negotiations are [is] not, of course, within the control of the Scottish Government.
However, we must plan on the basis of what we do know now.
And what we know is that on the timetable set out by the Prime Minister, the shape of the Brexit deal will become clear in the autumn of next year – ahead of ratification votes by other EU countries.
That is, therefore, the earliest point at which a referendum would be appropriate.
However, it is just as important that we do not leave it too late to choose a different path in a timely way.
If the UK leaves the EU without Scotland indicating beforehand – or at least within a short time after it – that we want a different relationship with Europe, we could face a lengthy period outside not just the EU but also the single market. And that could make the task of negotiating a different future much more difficult.
These considerations lead me to the conclusion that if Scotland is to have a real choice – when the terms of Brexit are known, but before it is too late to choose our own course – then that choice must be offered between the autumn of next year, 2018, and the spring of 2019.
The third – important – aspect of planning ahead is this.
I have already said that by the time a choice comes to be made, there must be greater clarity about Brexit and its implications for us.
It is just as important that there is clarity about the implications of independence. And there will be.
We will be frank about the challenges we face and clear about the opportunities independence will give us to secure our relationship with Europe, build a stronger and more sustainable economy and create a fairer society.
Scotland’s choice must be informed and up-to-date.
There is a great deal of talk – by all of us – about mandates from the referendums in 2014 and 2016. And, of course, neither of those results can – or should – be dismissed.
But the fact is they tell us only so much about the circumstances we find ourselves in now.
In 2014, we didn’t know the UK would vote to leave the EU – had we done so, it is likely that some, perhaps on both sides, would have come to a different decision.
And in 2016, independence was not on the ballot paper. We cannot simply assume that because someone voted to remain in the EU that they would vote yes for an independent Scotland.
What Scotland deserves, in the light of the material change of circumstances brought about by the Brexit vote, is the chance to decide our future in a fair, free and democratic way – and at a time when we are equipped with the facts that we need.
It is – above all – about informed choice.
We know that Brexit has made change inevitable. The option of “no change” is no longer available.
However, we can still decide the nature of that change.
Having Scotland’s referendum – at a time when the terms of Brexit are known – will give the Scottish people a choice about the kind of change we want.
And it must be a choice for all of us.
I know that there are some who want me to rule out a referendum completely or delay the decision until much, much further down the line.
I understand why some take that view. And of course, these views do weigh heavily on me.
But so does this. And this, for me, is a key consideration.
If I ruled out a referendum, I would be deciding – completely unilaterally – that Scotland will follow the UK to a hard Brexit come what may, no matter how damaging to our economy and our society it turns out to be.
That should not be the decision of just one politician – not even the First Minister.
By taking the steps I have set out today, I am ensuring that Scotland’s future will be decided not just by me, the Scottish Government, or the SNP.
It will be decided by the people of Scotland.
It will be Scotland’s choice.
And I trust the people to make that choice.
I’m now happy to take a few questions.
